Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/300

274 This dearth of birds on the higher ground is, however, partly compensated for by the numerous species which may be seen at any time on the neighbouring coast extending from Morecambe Bay to Solway Firth. Notwithstanding the fact that the past winter has, in this neighbourhood at least, been one of the mildest on record, yet I am glad to be able to note that greater numbers of birds—mere especially those which come under the designation of sea-fowl—have visited our shores than have been observed for several seasons past in this locality. This fact must in the main be attributed to the prevalence of westerly and north-westerly gales, but I think it may be safely alleged that the protection afforded by the Sea Birds and Wild Fowl Preservation Acts has in some measure brought about this satisfactory state of things.

The Gullery on Walney Island was more thickly tenanted than ever during last summer—indeed the mortality arising from overcrowding was very considerable among the young birds. I observed that a larger number than usual of the Black-headed Gulls had taken up their abode towards the south end of the island, at a distance of four or five miles from the main body. Numbers of this species nest also on the Cumberland coast.

The local names of the birds which breed on Walney Island are perhaps worth noticing, and may be of use to future visitors to the locality. The Gulls are known as "Sea Maws"; Common and Arctic Terns arc designated as "Sparlings," the same term being applied to a Sandwich Tern which was brought to me on May 5th, and which I was charitable enough to suppose had been picked up dead. Ring Plovers are called "Grundlings"; the name Peewit is pronounced "Peuit" or "Teuit"; and Lesser Terns, or at least their eggs (for I can hardly think that such an unsuitable name can be applied to the bird itself), are termed "Sea Mice." "Shelducks" and "Sea-pies" speak for themselves; and the Stock Doves, which are tolerably plentiful, come under the general designation of "Pigeons." I may add, in reference to an editorial note in 'The Zoologist' for April, that Herons are here, as in Ireland, universally known as "Cranes."

Of the birds enumerated above as natives of Walney Island the most interesting is the Sheldrake, numerous pairs of which nest annually in the sand-hills both here and on the coast of Cumberland. This species disappears in the autumn, and resorts, I presume, to some more secluded spot, though where situated I have not been